Wishfulfilling Jewel Prayers and Offerings

Please note: If the 10th or 25th of the month falls on a Sunday, we often replace Wishfulfilling Jewel Prayers with Offering to the Spiritual Guide Prayers. See the calendar for more details.

Our weekly offering to the Buddhas, join us for prayers and requests to the wisdom Buddha Je Tsongkhapa combined with offerings to the protector Buddha Dorje Shugden. If you like, feel free to bring a small offering of vegetarian food.

Do I need to register for Drop-In classes?
Drop-In classes are open to everyone, and no registration or prior arrangements are needed.

Do I need to sit on the floor?
No. Chairs are available at all our locations.

Do I have to be a Buddhist to benefit from meditation?
No. Anyone can learn basic meditation and experience the benefits that come from having a peaceful mind. Buddhists respect all people and are happy to help anyone regardless of whether they subscribe to another faith, or to none.

Do I need to have experience in meditation or Buddhism to attend the classes?
No experience is needed. All you need is the wish to improve yourself and the quality of your life.

What do I need to bring to class?
Nothing in particular, however if you wish to take notes bring a pen and notepad.

Dakini Yoga

Do I need to register for Drop-In classes?
Drop-In classes are open to everyone, and no registration or prior arrangements are needed.

Do I need to sit on the floor?
No. Chairs are available at all our locations.

Do I have to be a Buddhist to benefit from meditation?
No. Anyone can learn basic meditation and experience the benefits that come from having a peaceful mind. Buddhists respect all people and are happy to help anyone regardless of whether they subscribe to another faith, or to none.

Do I need to have experience in meditation or Buddhism to attend the classes?
No experience is needed. All you need is the wish to improve yourself and the quality of your life.

What do I need to bring to class?
Nothing in particular, however if you wish to take notes bring a pen and notepad.

Prostrations & Purification Practice

next date TBD

Karmic Purification

In this practice, we visualize the Thirty-five Confession Buddhas and practice purification in their presence. In general, all Buddhas have the power to protect living beings from suffering and negative karma. However, because of the prayers and dedications they made while they were Bodhisattvas, these thirty-five Buddhas have a special karmic link with the human beings of this world. Through the power of their blessings and prayers, we can swiftly purify even the heaviest negative actions simply by faithfully reciting their names!

If you choose to, this practice includes physical prostrations. For your comfort, you may want to bring a yoga mat and wear clothes that allow free movement.

Do I need to register for Drop-In classes?
Drop-In classes are open to everyone, and no registration or prior arrangements are needed.

Do I need to sit on the floor?
No. Chairs are available at all our locations.

Do I have to be a Buddhist to benefit from meditation?
No. Anyone can learn basic meditation and experience the benefits that come from having a peaceful mind. Buddhists respect all people and are happy to help anyone regardless of whether they subscribe to another faith, or to none.

Do I need to have experience in meditation or Buddhism to attend the classes?
No experience is needed. All you need is the wish to improve yourself and the quality of your life.

What do I need to bring to class?
Nothing in particular, however if you wish to take notes bring a pen and notepad.

Heart Jewel Prayers

Fridays, 5:30pm - 6:30pm in Oak Park

Please note: If the 10th or 25th of the month falls on a Friday, we often replace the evening Heart Jewel Prayers with Offering to the Spiritual Guide Prayers. In addition, other events may require occasional cancellation of these prayers. See the calendar for details.

Prayers and self-guided meditations to overcome obstacles and difficulties on the spiritual path by developing compassion, wisdom, and spiritual strength. This practice is the very essence of Kadampa Buddhism, and is open to everyone.

Do I need to register for Drop-In classes?
Drop-In classes are open to everyone, and no registration or prior arrangements are needed.

Do I need to sit on the floor?
No. Chairs are available at all our locations.

Do I have to be a Buddhist to benefit from meditation?
No. Anyone can learn basic meditation and experience the benefits that come from having a peaceful mind. Buddhists respect all people and are happy to help anyone regardless of whether they subscribe to another faith, or to none.

Do I need to have experience in meditation or Buddhism to attend the classes?
No experience is needed. All you need is the wish to improve yourself and the quality of your life.

What do I need to bring to class?
Nothing in particular, however if you wish to take notes bring a pen and notepad.

Offering to the Spiritual Guide Prayers

The 10th and 25th of every month
Please check the calendar for times and locations.

A special Guru yoga of Je Tsongkhapa which includes the practices of relying upon the Spiritual Guide, the stages of the path (Lamrim) and training the mind (Lojong), as well as generation stage and completion stage of Highest Yoga Tantra. If you like, feel free to bring a small offering of vegetarian food or non-alcoholic drink.

Do I need to register for Drop-In classes?
Drop-In classes are open to everyone, and no registration or prior arrangements are needed.

Do I need to sit on the floor?
No. Chairs are available at all our locations.

Do I have to be a Buddhist to benefit from meditation?
No. Anyone can learn basic meditation and experience the benefits that come from having a peaceful mind. Buddhists respect all people and are happy to help anyone regardless of whether they subscribe to another faith, or to none.

Do I need to have experience in meditation or Buddhism to attend the classes?
No experience is needed. All you need is the wish to improve yourself and the quality of your life.

What do I need to bring to class?
Nothing in particular, however if you wish to take notes bring a pen and notepad.

Precepts

The 15th of Every Month | 7am - 7:30am

The practice of taking and keeping the eight Mahayana precepts is a special practice of moral discipline that is performed with bodhichitta motivation (the supreme good heart). The essence of the practice is to take eight precepts – promising to abstain for twenty-four hours from eight actions: (1) killing, (2) stealing, (3) sexual activity, (4) lying, (5) taking intoxicants, (6) eating after lunch, (7) sitting on high or luxurious thrones or seats, and (8) wearing ornaments, perfume, singing and dancing and so forth – and to keep them purely for this period of time.

Do I need to register for Drop-In classes?
Drop-In classes are open to everyone, and no registration or prior arrangements are needed.

Do I need to sit on the floor?
No. Chairs are available at all our locations.

Do I have to be a Buddhist to benefit from meditation?
No. Anyone can learn basic meditation and experience the benefits that come from having a peaceful mind. Buddhists respect all people and are happy to help anyone regardless of whether they subscribe to another faith, or to none.

Do I need to have experience in meditation or Buddhism to attend the classes?
No experience is needed. All you need is the wish to improve yourself and the quality of your life.

What do I need to bring to class?
Nothing in particular, however if you wish to take notes bring a pen and notepad.

Nyungnay - Fasting and Purification Practice

Every April in Oak Park

Celebrate Buddha's Enlightenment day with one of our most blessed practices, known as Nyungnay. Based on the prayer booklet "Drop of Essential Nectar," this yearly event is a blissful method for purifying your mind.

In this practice, we vow to hold the eight Mahayana precepts and engage in three sessions of prostration and prayer to the Buddha of Compassion, Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara. The blessings we receive from this practice are immensely powerful, giving us the fuel we need to continue along the spiritual path.

Do I need to register for Drop-In classes?
Drop-In classes are open to everyone, and no registration or prior arrangements are needed.

Do I need to sit on the floor?
No. Chairs are available at all our locations.

Do I have to be a Buddhist to benefit from meditation?
No. Anyone can learn basic meditation and experience the benefits that come from having a peaceful mind. Buddhists respect all people and are happy to help anyone regardless of whether they subscribe to another faith, or to none.

Do I need to have experience in meditation or Buddhism to attend the classes?
No experience is needed. All you need is the wish to improve yourself and the quality of your life.

What do I need to bring to class?
Nothing in particular, however if you wish to take notes bring a pen and notepad.

Melodious Drum - Long Protector Prayers

In these prayers we make the extensive, fulfilling and restoring offerings to our Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden as well as to the entire assembly of enlightened protectors. Everyone is welcome. Feel free to bring a small vegetarian food offering.

The prayers are beautiful and long so if you are unable to attend for the entire time, you may join in for any part of the prayers that you can. Even a little bit of participation is beneficial.

Do I need to register for Drop-In classes?
Drop-In classes are open to everyone, and no registration or prior arrangements are needed.

Do I need to sit on the floor?
No. Chairs are available at all our locations.

Do I have to be a Buddhist to benefit from meditation?
No. Anyone can learn basic meditation and experience the benefits that come from having a peaceful mind. Buddhists respect all people and are happy to help anyone regardless of whether they subscribe to another faith, or to none.

Do I need to have experience in meditation or Buddhism to attend the classes?
No experience is needed. All you need is the wish to improve yourself and the quality of your life.

What do I need to bring to class?
Nothing in particular, however if you wish to take notes bring a pen and notepad.

Tara Prayers

Join us on Tara's special day (the 8th of the month). Tara is a female Buddha, a manifestation of the ultimate wisdom of all the Buddhas. Her name means "Rescuer" because she rescues us from all outer and inner fears. Ultimately she rescues us from all suffering and guides us to full enlightenment. Like a mother she protects us from all internal and external dangers; she provides us with all the necessary conditions for our spiritual training, and guides us and inspires us with her blessings as we progress along the spiritual path.

Do I need to register for Drop-In classes?
Drop-In classes are open to everyone, and no registration or prior arrangements are needed.

Do I need to sit on the floor?
No. Chairs are available at all our locations.

Do I have to be a Buddhist to benefit from meditation?
No. Anyone can learn basic meditation and experience the benefits that come from having a peaceful mind. Buddhists respect all people and are happy to help anyone regardless of whether they subscribe to another faith, or to none.

Do I need to have experience in meditation or Buddhism to attend the classes?
No experience is needed. All you need is the wish to improve yourself and the quality of your life.

What do I need to bring to class?
Nothing in particular, however if you wish to take notes bring a pen and notepad.